Outdoor Almanac

November 14, 2008

Tourney applications Fishing tournament organizers need to make sure that they have filled out the proper GFP paperwork when planning their event. Applications for fishing tournaments and special events must be filed with GFP no later than 30 days before the event is scheduled to take place. The 2009 application includes important information for tournament organizers like the dates during the year when fishing tournaments aren't allowed to be held as well as the dates when salmon and walleye catch and release tournaments are restricted. Completing the event paperwork as soon as possible helps all of the parties involved avoid confusion. Fishing tournament and special event applications may be found on the GFP Web site at sdgfp.info or they can be obtained from a conservation officer or park manager. Elk foundation grants Emphasizing habitat protection and enhancement, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has announced its 2008 grants for conservation projects in South Dakota. Nine grants totaling $43,865 are being awarded. Grants will affect Beadle, Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Meade and Pennington counties. Two additional projects have statewide interest. “This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in South Dakota,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fund-raising banquets and other events in South Dakota, as well as worthy project proposals.” Projects include developing a scientific model, using radio-collared elk, to improve population estimates for elk in Pennington Lawrence, Meade and Custer counties. There will also be sponsorship for a statewide event to landowners for participating in South Dakota's Walk-In Area sportsmen access program and for a youth hunting and outdoor experience course. South Dakota's RMEF leadership team also allocated $26,332 to the organization's Black Hills Conservation Initiative, an ongoing effort to protect and steward habitat for elk and other wildlife. Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 154 conservation projects in South Dakota with a value of more than $19 million. Details: rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK. Helping S.D. wildlife The National Wild Turkey Federation's South Dakota State Chapter and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks have announced a management plan that will help further secure the future of wildlife in the Mount Rushmore State. The plan, known as the North American Wild Turkey Management Plan, helps ensure that wild turkey populations and habitats are managed in a way that benefits a broad spectrum of wildlife, not just the wild turkey. Other wildlife across South Dakota that will benefit from the conservation efforts include white-tailed deer, elk, ring-necked pheasants, small game animals, songbirds, bald eagles and many more. The plan's specific habitat goals for South Dakota include planting more than 30,000 shrubs in river-based areas and establishing additional winter food sources and cover for turkeys and other wildlife. Benefits for hunters include continued acquisition of lands as part of the NWTF's More Places To Hunt initiative. Details: Brian Purtymun at (803) 637-7667 or bpurtymun@nwtf.net. Feeding wild birds Feeding wild birds is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the United States with widespread and evenly-distributed fans among all age groups. According to survey information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 267,000 South Dakota residents and 165,000 nonresidents watched, fed or photographed wildlife in 2006, spending $183 million in 2006 alone. Nationally, about 1 in 3 Americans were wildlife watchers in 2006. You don't need a license or any special skills to enjoy feeding or watching wildlife Ð just an interest and a commitment to doing it right. If you choose to partake in this fun and fulfilling activity, keep a few things in mind:

Place feeders where you can watch, enjoy and photograph feeding visitors.

If bothered by squirrels at feeders, place your feeder on a pole away from trees.

Place feeders near cover to protect feeding birds from weather and predators, such as free-roaming cats.

Move feeders if you notice birds striking windows.

Some birds, such as sparrows, juncos, doves, and pheasants, feed on the ground or on a flat platform.

Offer several feeding sites to avoid overcrowding and disease transmission.

If you're only offering one menu item, black oil sunflower seed appeals to many birds.

Remember to keep feeders and feeding areas clean by regularly raking up seed hulls and cleaning feeders by scrubbing with soapy water and rinsing in water diluted with a small amount of bleach.

If you notice sick or diseased birds, disinfect your feeders and stop feeding for 10 to 14 days to avoid further spreading diseases.

If you're just beginning to learn to identify birds at your feeders, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department has a publication that can help. Request “The Fledgling Birder,” a free publication, by sending an e-mail to: eileen.dowdstukel @state.sd.us. Pheasant dates Opening day of pheasant season in South Dakota in 2009 is Oct. 17. In 2010, it's Oct. 16.